Rockets report: Millsap keeps focus on present

Jazz forward Paul Millsap will be one of the most highly coveted players in the NBA's free agency period. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Though Jazz forward Paul Millsap will be among the more coveted free agents next summer, he has not thought about where he might head or whether the Rockets, who will have ample cap room, will try to recruit him.

“I keep that out of my mind,” Millsap said. “That’s going to come when it happens. We got games to win. I’m not really focused on that. I’m focused on trying to make the playoffs.”

Told his is a name often listed among the Rockets’ options, Millsap declined to consider that possibility during the season.

“I didn’t know that,” he said. “My main thing is to win games. I don’t get caught up into all that. … You have to play where you are. That’s how I look at it.”

Harden’s talent impresses Corbin

Utah coach Ty Corbin expected Rockets guard James Harden to become a top, go-to scorer. He just did not expect it yet.

“I am (surprised) after coming off being the sixth man in Oklahoma City, but it just shows the talent and determination this guy has,” Corbin said. “I think the experiences in Oklahoma City really helped him in those areas. Having a guy like (Kevin) Durant and (Russell) Westbrook to play alongside and watch for a couple years who were key guys and big-time scorers for that team. … When he got the moment himself, he was ready for it.

“There are so many more responsibilities. You’re the key guy every night out, understanding how you have to prepare yourself for different opponents when you know you’re going to get double-teamed. You’re going to get guys staying on you the entire time in the game, and to be able to weather the storm every night in this league is difficult.”

Turnovers key transition game

After a particularly atrocious game getting back defensively against Golden State on Sunday, the Rockets made their transition defense a primary point of emphasis in the practice and shootaround since. But coach Kevin McHale said the issue begins with just getting back.

“Transition defense is a direct correlation to how many turnovers we’re having,” he said. “If we keep our turnovers low, our transition defense is OK. Our defense in the halfcourt has been pretty solid almost all year long, but then we shoot ourselves in the foot with having 12 to 15 turnovers from halfcourt to the top of the key, or free-throw line to the halfcourt. Those are almost impossible to come back on.

“Where we get in trouble also in transition is when a long rebound comes out and we don’t track it down and (it) gets tipped and they get out and run. We worked on our transition defense again. I thought we had that bugaboo out of the equation a little bit.

“It kind of crept back in with a bunch of new guys. There are certain things in our league where experience you can’t replace it. Transition defense is one of them.”

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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March 30: Rockets 98, Clippers 81

Rockets shooting guard Francisco Garcia flexes his muscles in celebration during the second half. Garcia scored 15 points in the game.

March 30: Rockets 98, Clippers 81

Rockets shooting guard Francisco Garcia flexes his muscles in celebration during the second half. Garcia scored 15 points in the game.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Rockets center Omer Asik is hit in the face by Clippers guard Willie Green as forward Caron Butler comes down on him during the first half.

Rockets center Omer Asik is hit in the face by Clippers guard Willie Green as forward Caron Butler comes down on him during the first half.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Rockets small forward Chandler Parsons slams home two of his 15 points over Clippers small forward Caron Butler during the first half.

Rockets small forward Chandler Parsons slams home two of his 15 points over Clippers small forward Caron Butler during the first half.